I was just thinking that it would be useful to have a concise formula to recite in order to convey our beliefs to others and something we could use to affirm our faith in the Triple Gem. Something to summarize the many teachings and lists in Buddhism in a simplistic way.Perhaps something starting along the lines of :'We the disciples of Gotama Buddha believe..."

If you want to write a creed and post it here please do so I would find it useful and I'm sure others would appreciate it as well.

Last edited by ananda on Fri Oct 21, 2011 1:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

"Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Namu-myoho-renge-kyo. no matter what happens. How could this be anything other than the boundless joy of the Law? Strengthen your power of faith more than ever." - Nichiren Daishonin

ananda wrote:I was just thinking that it would be useful to have a concise formula to recite in order to convey our beliefs to others and something we could use to affirm our faith in the Triple Gem. Something to summarize the many teachings and lists in Buddhism in a simplistic way.Perhaps something starting along the lines of :'We the the disciples of Gotama Buddha believe..."

If you want to write a creed and post it here please do so I would find it useful and I'm sure others would appreciate it as well.

Prince Siddhattha Gotama abdicated his throne to become the beggar Buddha, who was a philosopher and teacher. He taught people to live a moral, non-violent life and to diminish and dismiss their suffering.

HHDL: "My confidence in venturing into science lies in my basic belief that as in science so in Buddhism, understanding the nature of reality is pursued by means of critical investigation: if scientific analysis were conclusively to demonstrate certain claims in Buddhism to be false, then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims."

ananda wrote:I was just thinking that it would be useful to have a concise formula to recite in order to convey our beliefs to others and something we could use to affirm our faith in the Triple Gem. Something to summarize the many teachings and lists in Buddhism in a simplistic way.Perhaps something starting along the lines of :'We the disciples of Gotama Buddha believe..."

Seems problematic. Creeds are by nature inherently self-limiting which contradicts the very essence of Dharma.

I forgot to mention... the thing is, you need to realize what you recite, like gaining insight about it. So it's not exactly a creed, as just forcing yourself to believe this (or anything else, for that matter) won't do much for you.

ananda wrote:I was just thinking that it would be useful to have a concise formula to recite in order to convey our beliefs to others and something we could use to affirm our faith in the Triple Gem. Something to summarize the many teachings and lists in Buddhism in a simplistic way.Perhaps something starting along the lines of :'We the disciples of Gotama Buddha believe..."

If you want to write a creed and post it here please do so I would find it useful and I'm sure others would appreciate it as well.

Didn't Goddard basically do something like this in his Buddhist Bible? Also there are the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha that pretty much functions in this way.

No need for us to make up some creed, the Dharma itself is very clear. A couple of very important points have already been made:

Dechen Norbu wrote:I go for refuge in the Buddha,I go for refuge in the Dharma,I go for refuge in the Sangha.

and

tantular wrote:ye dharmā hetuprabhavā hetuṃ teṣāṃ tathāgato hyavadat, teṣāṃ ca yo nirodha evaṃ vādī mahāśrāmaṇaḥ."The Tathagata has told the cause of those dharmas which arise from causes, and also their cessation. Such a teacher was the Great Striver."

HHDL: "My confidence in venturing into science lies in my basic belief that as in science so in Buddhism, understanding the nature of reality is pursued by means of critical investigation: if scientific analysis were conclusively to demonstrate certain claims in Buddhism to be false, then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims."

The creed is intended for those new to Buddhism and seek to understand Buddhist beliefs. It is also intended for those Buddhists seeking a statement of faith outlining most of Buddhist doctrine in a single formula.

"Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Namu-myoho-renge-kyo. no matter what happens. How could this be anything other than the boundless joy of the Law? Strengthen your power of faith more than ever." - Nichiren Daishonin

The creed is intended for those new to Buddhism and seek to understand Buddhist beliefs. It is also intended for those Buddhists seeking a statement of faith outlining most of Buddhist doctrine in a single formula.

Thanks

HHDL: "My confidence in venturing into science lies in my basic belief that as in science so in Buddhism, understanding the nature of reality is pursued by means of critical investigation: if scientific analysis were conclusively to demonstrate certain claims in Buddhism to be false, then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims."

You need to focus on what the buddha taught, and not what buddhists believe, because not all buddhists believe the same things.

Profile Picture: "The Foaming Monk"The Chinese characters are Fo (buddha) and Ming (bright). The image is of a student of Buddhism, who, imagining himself to be a monk, and not understanding the true meaning of the words takes the sound of the words literally. Likewise, People on web forums sometime seem to be foaming at the mouth. Original painting by P.Volker /used by permission.

For me, I have taken my refuge vows formally, and I renew them at the beginning of each day.

For others, I try to explain that Buddhism is a practice of mental and spiritual development designedto develop compassion and loving kindness for all beings, and to awaken my own inherent insight intothe nature of reality.

Wish I could remember where I got the wording for the above so I could credit him/her, but it'sgone from my memory.

Now having obtained a precious human body,I do not have the luxury of remaining on a distracted path.~ Tibetan Book of the Dead